Natasha Poonawalla sets a new gold standard with a candylicious look at the amfAR Gala in Cannes

After getting all the right attention at the Met Gala earlier this month with a string of theatrical ensembles, philanthropist and businesswoman Natasha Poonawalla took her signature high-octane glamour to the French Riviera this month. Recently, at the prestigious amfAR Gala, held at the storied Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc in Cap d'Antibes during the 78th Cannes Film Festival, Poonawalla delivered yet another standout moment, this time draped head-to-toe in a gift-wrapped look from fashion label Balenciaga.

Known for treating style as wearable art, Poonawalla's Cannes appearance was a perfect sartorial spectacle. Posed languidly on a white couch, or backdropped by the serene blue of the Riviera, she embodied the kind of glamour that doesn’t just follow trends but defines them.

As part of the beachside fashion shoot from her latest look, she shared the photo dump with her followers on Instagram. To match the vibe of her metallic gilded ensemble, she captioned the pictures and wrote, “Wake up and Show up!” (SIC)

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She wore a strapless gold Balenciaga gown from the luxury brand’s Resort 2025 collection that looked like crinkled gold foil. The dress with its sculptural form was completed with a structured bodice, exaggerated volume at the hem, and a dramatic train – the look transformed Poonawalla into a walking piece of contemporary art. The off-shoulder neckline and tiered detailing gave the dress a seamless fluidity catching the reflection of the Riviera in a dramatic light.

While the amfAR Gala drew a constellation of stars from across the globe, Natasha Poonawalla’s presence on the terrace overlooking the Mediterranean was a mood in itself. Her accessories were absolutely quirky addition to look with an unconventional styling.

Rather than going with the boring and predictable delicate eveningwear pieces, Poonawalla chose oversized black statement earrings, a mammoth diamond ring, and black stilettos to add to the stark visual contrast. Although, the most noticeable part of the outfit was her choice of arm candy that truly sealed the deal; instead of a traditional clutch, she carried Balenciaga’s “9 AM” clutch, a tongue-in-cheek nod to the now-viral Stanley tumbler trend. Sleek and black, the coffee cup clutch added a cheeky twist to an otherwise ultra-luxe outfit.

For her beauty look, Poonawalla leaned towards glamorous minimalism. A flawless matte base served as the canvas for softly contoured cheeks and generous highlighter along the cheekbones. Her eyes were defined with a soft brown smoky finish, winged liner, and fluttering lashes, all framed by neatly shaped brows.

The muted pink gloss on her lips added just enough colour without stealing focus. Hair, parted down the middle and blown out to voluminous perfection, was styled to complement rather than compete with the dress.